Harper Goff met Walt Disney by chance in 1951, in a London shop. When Disney asked him what he did for a living, Goff told him he was an artist. Disney replied, "When you get back to America, come and talk to me.

Harper Goff worked around Hollywood as an artist, set desinger, art director and producer. He lent his talents to numerous films, including Casablanca and Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. Goff was initially hired by Disney to sketch concepts for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (a film that would go on to win two Oscars, including Art Direction). As an Imagineer, he helped Walt conceptualize & design much of Disneyland Park.

Goff was also an avid banjo player, playing with the Firehouse Five Plus Two, a Dixieland jazz band that included some other notable Disney artists (Ward Kimball & Frank Thomas). Disney Legend, Harper Goff died on March 3, 1993 in Los Angeles, California.